Minister: Our goal is to introduce Azerbaijan as new logistics junction

[ 13 March 2018 11:55 ]

For implementation of projects, sustainable political and macroeconomic stability should be ensured. Azerbaijan has already justified itself in this field, Azerbaijani Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov said at the Baku International Conference on the role of MPs in strengthening economic cooperation and cultural ties along the Silk Road held by OSCE PA Silk Road Support Group.

‘We should do that in trade and logistics too. We do this around new and broadening Baku port. Our goal is to introduce Azerbaijan as a new logistics junction, promote trade between Europe and Asia. We are renewing Silk Road with new instruments. Azerbaijan makes investments in transport field. Logistics centers are created, investment and business environment are tried to be simplified’, he said.

Mammadyarov said that Silk Road Support Group is a significant initiative and closely participates in OSCE’s trade and transport agenda: ‘Simplification of trade and development of infrastructure will pave the way to strong economy in OSCE zone. We must make this contribution more inclusive. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs supports creation of Silk Road Support Group. The more active the group is the greater it will be. This is an important platform in the field of regional infrastructure and plays an important role in development of transport corridor’.

The minister noted that Azerbaijan implements significant non-oil projects: ‘We play an important role in energy security of Europe. Works are underway for delivery of Azerbaijani gas to European market. However, we should develop transport infrastructure foro the future development. Azerbaijan is implementing Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project jointly with Turkey and Georgia. Its annual transportation capacity makes up 6-7 million tonnes. This indicator will be 17 million tonnes in the future. This railway will connect Trans Asia and Trans Europe railway network and create reliable railway network between the two continents. BTK is planned to transport 1 million of passengers. We plan to increase this indicator to 3 million. Development in trade and transport will contribute to regional security and development. Of course, this must be carried out as a respect to territorial integrity and sovereignty. This is also reflected in Helsinki Final Act. Political and economic security is inseparable. Azerbaijan implements the projects under this spirit’.